State mandates on health insurance are a major factor in the high cost of coverage. I did some research to find out what I'm paying for (and don't want or need):
State: Maryland
Cost of Coverage: about $500/month
Here are just a few of the dozens of things I'm paying for:
In-Vitro Fertilization - accounts for 3-5% of my premium
Morbid Obesity Treatment - accounts for 1-3% of my premium
Smoking Cessation - accounts for 1-3% of my premium
Well Child Care - accounts for 1-3% of my premium
Alcoholism/Substance Abuse - accounts for 1-3% of my premium
Hair Prosthesis - accounts for 1% of my premium
I'm not morbidly obese, I don't smoke, I don't have kids (nor am I looking to get pregnant any time soon, sorry mom!), and I'm pretty sure I don't need rehab.
If I tally it up, these items are responsible for up to 18% of my premium. That's almost $100/month I'm paying for coverage I absolutely do not want or need.
I also learned that there are nearly 2,133 mandates like these, which are responsible for group health insurance premium increases of 20 to 50 percent.
So... maybe there's a good reason for these mandates?
Nope!
J.P. Wieske, director of state affairs for the Council for Affordable Health Insurance (CAHI), says "For state legislators, [mandates are] used as a special interest tool to reward lobbyists with a specific mandate and let someone else pay for it"
So, I have a question for Congress and President Obama: Can any of you tell me why this isn't being discussed as part of your health care reform plan?
It seems pretty logical to me: Don't make people pay for coverage they don't need, then when premiums are significantly lower, won't millions more Americans be able to afford healthcare?
FIND OUT YOUR STATE'S HEALTH INSURANCE MANDATES, thanks to the Council for Affordable Health Insurance.
Here's a more in-depth explanation of mandated benefits.
The most common state mandates:
Alcoholism/substance abuse treatment
Breast reconstruction
Diabetic supplies
Emergency services
Mammography
Maternity minimum stay
Mental health parity
Source: Council for Affordable Health Insurance
Unusual mandates:
Athletic trainer
Circumcision
Hair prosthesis
Midwife
Naturopath
Oriental medicine
Pastoral counseling
Port wine stain elimination (birthmark removal)
Residential crisis service
Source: Council for Affordable Health Insurance
TAKE ACTION!
Let Congress know what you think:
Downsize DC's Affordable Health Insurance Campaign Tool
